Telling the African Woman's Story - Leila Djansi

"I want to continue telling stories that would change lives. In African culture, we don't talk. I keep saying the reason why Africans speak in proverbs is because we are not direct. So I just want to keep telling stories that allow people to talk." ~ Leila Djansi

Leila Djansi is one of the few film directors I admire. Why? Her stories. There is always a resonant note embedded in her films and the stories she chooses to tell. Being a writer as well, gives her especial power to share the African Woman's narrative in film in an industry that has largely ignored or is disinterested with those parts of the truth of human lives.  She is particularly interested in the African cultural nuances, thus weaves her stories around them and places them on the perfect platform for discussion, rumination and many times, debate. My two favourites have been Sinking Sands and Ties That bind. Both films tell the African Woman's story and the unique cultural influences that either alienate or embrace them. Issues she has raised for discussion in the past are marital rape (a problem many Ghanaian currently refuse to acknowledge can exist), domestic violence and childbirth.

She is currently working on a new web-series, Poisoned Bait, which explores marriage, and women in marriage, as nuanced by Ghana and Africa, and its ongoing transformation under the liberal pressures of the 21st Century.

In this interview, Leila Djansi talks about her work ethics, her writing process, being the only African in her class in the Savannah College of Art and Design, her creative choices and her secret dream to direct a James Bond movie!

Please click the link below for the interview:

Telling the African Woman's Story - Leila Djansi